Abhilash Team receiving award

By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 23, 2020: A short film from Odisha based on COVID-19 lockdown titled ‘Abhilash’ has bagged an International Award at the ‘Bengal Lockdown online film Festival’ in the Best Social Message Film category.

Shot in and around Hinjilikatu area of Berhampur, under Ganjam district, Odisha, ‘Abhilash’ has been directed by Guru Krishna Chandra Sahu.

The international film festival held under the supervision of organiser Subhamapurva witnessed contest from around 135 films from across the world. However, only 50 titles from 20 countries were officially nominated. ‘Abhilash’ came up among the top six winners.

The short film depicts the story of a poverty-stricken boy who keeps himself safe amid the coronavirus lockdown and reads messages of social distancing.

At the festival, the Indian lockdown based short film overtook titles from countries like the US and Australia.

The filmmaker expressed his gratitude for the award and said that “the art of a small town of Odisha has gained national and international recognition.”

A visible happy Sahu said, “This film ‘Abhilash’ is based on the government’s message to save lives by staying at homes. The motive of the film is to show people without any facilities or equipment are making their lives safe.”

Earlier in May, a short film made in Odisha village had won award in COVID-19 film festival. The file titled Martyapura Re Jamaraj (‘Yamaraj on earth’), produced by a group from the Ankushpur village of Odisha’s Ganjam district had won a special jury award at the COVID-19 International Film Festival 2020.

The 13-minute short film in Odia seeks to spread awareness in rural areas on preventive measures to check the spread of the coronavirus through humour. The online festival of short films focused on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film revolved around humour, satire and mythology, with its story revolving around Yamaraj, the god of death, and Chitragupta, his record keeper, entertaining rural viewers hooked to smartphones during the lockdown.